Theravada and yoga

I've long had a bit of a following to the basic Buddhist beliefs, as well as being Christian, but some things Chael said got me thinking some more about it. So I started looking into it and at this point it seems I've long been a Theravada Buddhist without realizing it. I'm not tied to that "diagnosis" yet, as there is so very much to read and find out, but so far in my learnings that seems the case. So I'm turning my study towards Theravada and ordering some books on it and such to see if that's right and trying, in general, to align myself even more with the "Buddhist Basics" of the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts.

Today is an Uposatha (observance day, quarter moon) and for Theravada Buddhists that points towards following the Eight Precepts for the day. I am trying this. We'll see how well I do at maintaining them.

Also, on taking Jonesy to the vet the other day I found that almost next door to the vet a new Sunstone Yoga studio opened up -so it's quite near my house. I signed up for their introductory "10 days of yoga for $10" deal and am going to my first intro class in a few minutes.

I always love yoga when I practice it, but I never maintain a long, solid practice. I'm going to try again... my biggest problem is my social anxiety. I start out okay and then it builds up to where I can't handle going to whatever place I've been going to (yoga or other). I'm again working to do my best against this.

Went to the new tiny and cheap salon near my house and got my mohawk back. Wednesday they are putting in longer strips of purple and pink to set off the purple and blue coloring I have right now in it.

Time to go.

Mohawk and completely random stuff

I miss my mohawk. A couple of times now I've had to stop myself from shaving my head again to one.

But, I have plans for a little bit longer hair and it's too cold right now for bare scalp, anyhow (for me, at least).

But, again, darnit I liked how I looked and felt with it. So, tentative plan is to keep growing out my hair and fiddling with it, then go back to the mohawk when the heat here sets in... because I *really* can't handle all this hair during the heat after knowing how comfy having it cut off was.

And by then, the sides and back will be nice and long for my mohawk.

Yes, I'm a little punchy about now. I am so tired.

Only 2 more days til Chael starts looking for a plane flight!!!

Oh, and I found a site online that sells nighties, pvc, and stockings for bigger girls so I plan on getting some stockings soon (a few pair as I rip them like nobody's business) and maybe a cute PVC shirt or jacket or something.

Also, I bought some swatches of vegan "leather" for Quin to look at and see if he can make me some gear out of the stuff (I already have a wristband made of it that is rather basic but nice). I'd like to start switching over my BDSM gear to vegan-friendly stuff.

I'll keep my leather goods I already own, of course, and use them til they fall apart; then, I'll replace items with preferred alternatives one by one. But, it would be nice to get some paddles and collars and cuffs and such made now.

Heck, I may have him teach me very basic sewing of (faux) leather so that I can make more fashion accessories like my bracelet. I need a few loooooooong belts of various looks and I can't find any in the sizes I want (I want them long enough to sling around my hips loosely, not go around my waist).

Ooooooo, and I found some pretend-leather airborne style boots and a couple other higher-calf styles at veganessentials.com that look yummy. But that'll be a while before I purchase any of them as they are Expensive!

Also, Chael's and my tax refund is quite good this year and my half will be going towards finishing organizing my closet and bedroom (not much money needed there, but tax return makes it easier) and then getting some microdermals or/and a tattoo. Maybe instead of the tattoo I'll see Lady Shivers about branding the skull and crossbones on my leg that I want... Decisions...

I'm rambling again due to the tiredness. Just trying to stay awake. Shutting up now.

To NY

Am starting out either tonight or tomorrow morning to visit my family in NY. Sister has had an operation and asked that I come visit during her recovery period and I said, "sure".

Should be fun. Mom said we're all gonna go up to the Corning Glass Works to tour the museum one day and then another day maybe go wine tasting (which my sister isn't much for, not being a wine liker, but mom pointed out to her that she's such a lightweight that she'll be drunk and happy in no time so she'll have a good day regardless). Having grown up close to there, I've been to the Glass Works a few times -most recent with my spouse a couple years ago, his first time- but I'm looking forward to it. It's always very interesting to see and mom and sis and I have never gone together.

I'll mostly be bumming around my sister's house while mom is at work, laying about, watching tv and chatting with her while she takes it easy. Mom says she's healing well, so far, though. Had a slight hiccup where she had to go back in and have an abscess dealt with, but otherwise good.

I'm going to stop at the VA Safari Park on the way up. I've not done that in years and years. So cute and so stubborn and smart, those zebras and such.

Leaves are starting to drop from the trees up there, mom says. Should be pretty with fall colors starting. I miss that and am looking forward to it.

Went to Atlanta's Six Flags yesterday with Chael. Didn't make it the whole day, got worn out by adrenaline and too much heat/sunshine. God, it was blazing and horrid. I swear the UV has gotten stronger since I was a kid... I used to be able to look almost at the sun back then, now I can't barely stand to look at the horizon... the sky is just painful. And to walk around in it makes me so tired and sick feeling. I was always sensitive to sunlight like that, even when young, but now it's much, much worse.

The "Scream Machine" is a piece of garbage, painful garbage. Not worth riding.

The "Goliath" is great and has wonderful repeated zero-gee moments.

Those are the two extremes.

I cut my hair off last night at about 3am. I've a "faux-hawk" of sorts. I've the "chelsea cut", as others have told me it's called, around my face as I like it; a full mohawk; and the sides are shaved to 1" in length and moussed upwards towards the 'hawk. I'm debating shaving them all the way off, as I really liked it that way before, but I went this route first to see how I'd like my hair with a leetle bit left on the sides... I can always shave it the rest of the way off, growing it in is a bit longer taking.

I'd like to add some accent color like purple to it before I go to my mom's, but don't know if I'm going to bother... it's still 2 shades of green right now.

Domestic should be here soon to do my car, gotta get the hose ready..... wait, no, I'll just have him move it when I take him on the backyard tour today, what was I thinking?